Honda Car Forum

Hello:

Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.

Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?

Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?

If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?

"The Club" steering wheel lock much of a deterrent ?
What might be better, other than the electrical alarm systems?

Thanks,
Bob

In article <F6CdnZeVc_Qm5naiRVn-gQ@comcast.com>,
"Robert11" <rgsxrose@comcast.net> wrote:

> Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
> required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?
>
> Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?

What have you heard that makes you wonder if it's a "feel good" kind of
thing as opposed to an actual theft deterrent?

>If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
>vehicles ?

You are seriously misinformed. Honda only started equipping Accords with
immobilizers starting with the '98 model.

The Accords that are on those lists are usually '88-'95 models which weren't
equipped.

As for their effectiveness, I remember the Camaro being pretty high on that
list. Then, GM equipped them with the immobilizer starting with the '90 model.
They quickly dissapeared from the list.








^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^
^x IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE x^
^x WITHOUT YOU IN IT! x^
x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^x^

>"Robert11"
> Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key"

The key interrupts the computer and starter solenoid. You can bypass this.

>How is it done?

Sorry, it's a trade secret. My ex-buddy got locked up for 6 month for owning
a ghost (filed) key. If you're in California, don't carry a worn out key or
risk jail time.

> What might be better, other than the electrical alarm systems?

Pair of shotgun & Raiders' fan sticker.

On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 19:08:51 -0500, "Robert11" <rgsxrose@comcast.net>
wrote:

>Hello:
>
>Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.
>
>Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
>required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?

From what I've seen of the technology up to 2001 models, they're usually
good for a few years. It takes a couple of years before locksmiths get new
equipment which can decode them - add a couple more for the thieves to
ummm, "acquire" the equipment.

>Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?
>
>If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
>vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?

Towing is what the real pros will do. Then there's the bandits you leave
your car and keys with for some indeterminate time - alarm/audio install
"specialist" are often prime suspects here. They can make a physical copy
of your key, which wont start your car but with a ECU swap and the
corresponding chipped key for that donor ECU strapped near the steering
column sensor, they can drive off.

I think the real measure of how effective the immobilizer systems are is
the increase in theft of older vehicles which are not equipped - IOW they
stop the joy-riders or the guys who just want free transport across town.

>"The Club" steering wheel lock much of a deterrent ?

Nope. Have you not seen the video of the guy sawing through the steering
wheel - 10secs max. I dunno about the brake pedal locks. If they really
want your car, they'll have it.

>What might be better, other than the electrical alarm systems?

I've often wondered what would be required to totally vaporize an entire
human... passively of course. Could it be done with just volts or do we
have to resort to Star Wars lasers here?:-)

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

George Macdonald <fammacd=!SPAM^nothanks@tellurian.com> spake unto the
masses in news:m61nuvkqppsbuaajjno9jmvaiiudj5hll8@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 19:08:51 -0500, "Robert11" <rgsxrose@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Hello:
>>
>>Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.
>>
>>Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
>>required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?
>
> From what I've seen of the technology up to 2001 models, they're
> usually good for a few years. It takes a couple of years before
> locksmiths get new equipment which can decode them - add a couple more
> for the thieves to ummm, "acquire" the equipment.
>
>>Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?
>>
>>If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most
>>stolen vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?
>
> Towing is what the real pros will do.


Or they strip the car on-site.

Close to my house--but in an unlit rural area--is a '98 Integra Type-R. It
has an immobilizer. One night two weeks ago, some crooks came by when no
one was home and stripped the car of its bumpers, headlights, taillights
and OEM alloy wheels.

That's probably close to $4,000 Cdn. of good-condition OEM equipment, gone.
Just like that. Immobilizer meant nothing here.

However, immobilizers are *very* effective against your average joyrider.
According to my insurance broker, immobilizers are responsible for a
dramatic decrease in theft claims, since most thefts are by casual thieves.


--
TeGGeR®

George Macdonald wrote:

> On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 19:08:51 -0500, "Robert11" <rgsxrose@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Hello:
>>
>>Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.
>>
>>Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
>>required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?
>
>
> From what I've seen of the technology up to 2001 models, they're usually
> good for a few years. It takes a couple of years before locksmiths get new
> equipment which can decode them - add a couple more for the thieves to
> ummm, "acquire" the equipment.
>
>
>>Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?
>>
>>If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
>>vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?
>
>
> Towing is what the real pros will do. Then there's the bandits you leave
> your car and keys with for some indeterminate time - alarm/audio install
> "specialist" are often prime suspects here. They can make a physical copy
> of your key, which wont start your car but with a ECU swap and the
> corresponding chipped key for that donor ECU strapped near the steering
> column sensor, they can drive off.
>
> I think the real measure of how effective the immobilizer systems are is
> the increase in theft of older vehicles which are not equipped - IOW they
> stop the joy-riders or the guys who just want free transport across town.
>
>>"The Club" steering wheel lock much of a deterrent ?
>
> Nope. Have you not seen the video of the guy sawing through the steering
> wheel - 10secs max. I dunno about the brake pedal locks. If they really
> want your car, they'll have it.
>
>>What might be better, other than the electrical alarm systems?
>
> I've often wondered what would be required to totally vaporize an entire
> human... passively of course. Could it be done with just volts or do we
> have to resort to Star Wars lasers here?:-)

10 seconds after being activated the alarm/immobilizer system fills the
passenger compartment with a suitable nerve gas.

I work in Forensics and I can tell you, if somebody wants your car, they
will get it.

It does not matter what chip, alarm, or pitbullwith aids guarding it.



--
WDW is a Way of Life
"Robert11" <rgsxrose@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:F6CdnZeVc_Qm5naiRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> Hello:
>
> Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.
>
> Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
> required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?
>
> Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?
>
> If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
> vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?
>
> "The Club" steering wheel lock much of a deterrent ?
> What might be better, other than the electrical alarm systems?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
>

In article <cgCHb.12409$IM3.83@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.n et>,
"SF" <stephen_h@feldstein.ns.com> wrote:

> I work in Forensics and I can tell you, if somebody wants your car, they
> will get it.

I don't work in the police field at all, and I could have told you the
same thing.

But you should know this: most cars are stole for joyriding, and not
because someone wants *that* particular car. The key chip system stops
joyriders cold, and therefore stops MOST car theft cold.

>"George Macdonald" <wrote in message > wrote:
> >Have a new Accord, and am a bit concerned about theft.
> >Was wondering how effective the "micro-chip key" that is apparently
> >required to start the engine "really" is in deterring theft ?
>
> From what I've seen of the technology up to 2001 models, they're usually
> good for a few years. It takes a couple of years before locksmiths get
> equipment which can decode them - add a couple more for the thieves to
> ummm, "acquire" the equipment.
>
> >Or, is it mostly a "feel-good" kind of thing ?
> >If it is effective, how is it that the Accords are about the most stolen
> >vehicles ? How is it done then; are they just towed ?
>
> Towing is what the real pros will do. Then there's the bandits you leave
> your car and keys with for some indeterminate time - alarm/audio install
> "specialist" are often prime suspects here. They can make a physical copy
> of your key, which wont start your car
>
> but with a ECU swap and the corresponding chipped
> key for that donor ECU strapped near the steering
> column sensor, they can drive off.

Uhmm... They wouldn't invest $500 on a ECU. Ever heard of the $60
Immobilizer bypass unit that will bypass a full range of models/makes.
Here's the secret.

The bypass unit uses a unique auto program sequence to learn the secure code
from the Key Cylinder Module and repeats it when remote start is activated
or grounding a wire, eliminating the need to have the victim's key in the
vehicle. This device can be left installed or uninstalled in the victim's
car, leaving you clueless until it's too late. This is fact, so watch out.

> I dunno about the brake [or clutch] pedal locks.

Agreed. These things won't work for automatics. Who needs brakes to drive.
Indy